Tourists and residents are tightening their belts when it comes to spending a penny in Cambridge’s public loos with expected takings falling short.

It seems austerity means the public are no longer feeling flush when it comes to spending 20p for some relief. A steady flow of shortfalls on projected earnings from the toilets has been happening over the last few years, latest figures have revealed.

Cambridge City Council manages 20 public toilets in the city of which about half have charges.

But residents and tourists will have to spend a lot more pennies for the authority to hit its budget targets.

In 2013/14 total revenue from the eight fee-paying loos was 35,000 - a shortfall of £10,000 on projected takings.

In 2014/15 takings were £31,000 with an increased shortfall of £15,000. And in 2015/16 the shortfall increased again to £17,000.

The biggest loo-sers in 2015/16 were the toilets in Drummer Street which were short £6,480 on expected takings followed by Parker’s Piece conveniences at £4,547.

In third place were the toilets in Park Street car park which were caught short by £2,100.

In

Toilets on Midsummer Common

fourth spot were the lavs in Victoria Avenue on Midsummer Common, known as the 'Armadillo', which fell shy of expected earnings by £1,345.

In fifth spot were the loos on Mill Road which were short £452 in 2015/16.

The Great British Toilet Map website lists additional places in Cambridge – such as museums and department stores.

A city council spokesman said: “Budget forecasts have been increased each year in line with RPI (Retail Price Index). The price has remained as 20p and the usage has either remained similar or reduced.”